Master of Arts in Counseling

Counseling (COUN) Course Descriptions

501. Counseling Theory and Techniques 1. I, II, S. 3 Hr. PR: Consent. Development and application of basic counseling skills including interviewing, clinical observations,and a general orientation to counseling theory and settings. Evaluation will be based on strengths and deficits in intra- and interpersonal skills and on demonstration of counseling skills in checkout situations. In-setting laboratory experience required.

536. Theories of Human Development. 3 Hr. Theory and research on emotional, social,and intellectual development over the life span. Emphasis on application of developmental theories within educational and therapeutic settings.

608. School Counseling Services. I, S. 3 Hr. PR: consent. Applications of counseling theories and techniques appropriate to the school counseling setting will be explored.Students will develop needs assessments, review legal and ethical issues related to schools, and develop a professional school counseling portfolio.

609. Group Counseling Theory and Techniques. I, II, S. 3 Hr. PR: COUN 606 and consent. Theories of group counseling and demonstrations of specific group techniques.Ethical standards. Evaluation will be based on expertise in group facilitation.

620. Lifespan Career Counseling. II, S. 3 Hr. PR: COUN 505. Principles and methods involved in career counseling with diverse populations. Emphasis on theories of career development and lifestyle planning, career choices, and lifelong work adjustment.

630. Counseling Children, Adolescents and Parents. I, S. 3 Hr. PR: COUN 501 and PR or CONC: COUN 606 and Consent. Practical application of the principles of counseling to the elementary and high school age population. Emphasis on developmental stages,diversity, and ethics.

634. Cultural Issues. I, S. 3 Hr. PR: Program major or Consent. The impact of cultural differences on the counseling process including gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and counseling styles will be discussed. Racial identity development models will be discussed. Group and experiential activities are required.

645. Couples and Family Counseling. I, S. 3 Hr. PR: COUN 501, COUN 606 or Consent. Techniques and methods of couples and family counseling. Emphasis on ethics, diversity, theory and practice of couples and family counseling. Demonstration of counseling skills for couples and families is required.

660. Field Experience in School Counseling. I, II, S. 3 Hr. PR: (COUN 606 and COUN 630 and COUN 632) and PR or CONC: COUN 685 and Consent and course enrollment in the alternate school counseling program. Classroom-based field experience for school counseling majors enrolled in alternative certification programs. A review of classroom curriculum for elementary and secondary grades. (Course will be graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.)

665. Diagnosis and Treatment Planning. 3 Hr. PR: COUN 536 and COUN 606.Framework for exploring the range of personality and behavioral disorders as described in the DSM-IV-TR. Focus on descriptive criteria, etiology, assessment, diagnosis,multicultural consideration, psychotropic treatments of, and understanding of the major diagnostic categories.

685. Practicum. I, II, S. 1-12 Hr. PR Preregistration; liability insurance; cleared for internship at close of semester, or a M.A. degree, and consent of department practicum evaluation committee. An intensive supervised practical experience in public schools or agencies, in counseling with individual critique and appropriate small group experiences. Demonstration of high professional standards, counseling skills, and personal characteristics appropriate to the counseling relationship are essential. (Due to the limited number of summer sites, there can be no guarantee of summer practicum placement.) Practicum is a prerequisite for internship placement. Internship is a one semester,minimum 4-day per week field experience following practicum.

684. Supervision Models in Counseling. 3 Hr. PR: COUN 606. The current models of supervision that are commonly utilized by supervisor in the field and the techniques associated with the different models will be investigated.

686. Counseling Internship. I, II. 1-12 Hr. PR: Preregistration, completion of COUN 585 (Practicum) and consent of department field work coordinator. A full-time supervised field experience. Demonstration of counseling program management skills and ethical conduct is required. ACA Ethical Behavior Standards will be used to determine appropriate professional conduct.